Metal flashing



H. P. ORTH METAL FLASHING May 10, 1949.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9; 1946 H/s Arron/5% H. P. ORTH METAL FLASHING May 10, 1949.

3' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Maya, 1946 INVENTOR. fimamr PORT/1" +1 W 077 4) H/s Jrrom/sx May 10, 1949. V H. P. ORTH METAL FLASHING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed ma .9, 1946 INVENTOR.

FORTH .intersection between Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL FLASHING Herbert P. Orth, Upper Darby, Pa. Application May 9, 1946, Serial No. 668,489

1 Claim.

i This invention relates to improvements in the construction and installation of metal flashing, particularly in the cap and counter-flashing elements as used in combination with roofing and particularly in relation to parapet walls where a layer or layers of roofing material are turned upward against the face of a wall to seal the the roof and wall.

The improvements contemplated by this invention include an inverted receiving slot in a downwardly extending section of a flashing cap element imbedded in a brick or stone wall, into which a fiat or pre-formed flashing or counterfiashing element may be inserted to cover the upwardly extending edges of a layer or layers of roofing material or metal roof base flashing after the layers of roofing material or flashing are in place.

The accepted practice for flashing, and particularly counter-flashing installations is to insert or build into brick or stone joints a preformed metal cap flashing which bends downward at the edge of the wall. The flashing is inserted prior to the application of the roofing or roof base flashing. The roofing or roof flashings are turned up against the surface of the parapet or vertical building walls, and in order to extend these upward, the required distance, the roofing mechanic pries the flashing outward or bends it upward so that the roofing materials may be carried upward to, or in close proximity with the point where the horizontal portion of the cap flashing protrudes from the masonry wall. The outwardly extending portion of the cap is a hazard as it interferes with the app ication of the layers of the roofing material and often causes injury to the hands of the workman. It is difficult to line up the edges of layers of material when the edges are covered by the outwardly extending cap, and the sharp edges of the cap cut the hands very readily.

After the layers of roofing material have been applied and, as in usual practice, nailed to the wall, the general practice is to attempt to bend the metal counter-flashing face downward to its original position over the built-up layers of roofing material or roof base flashing in order to counter-flash the installation to make it watertight. However, due to the natural spring of metals, this is seldom accomplished in a satisfactory manner. The roofing materials are nor mally applied in a plurality of layers of various plies, and the accumulation thereof constitutes considerable thickness so that when the flashing is bent downward, it must be bent at a different point, and this prevents close or tight j face of 40 strip of material, .of the cap extending slightly outward the upper 2 contact and generally an uneven and unsightly flashing.

In the flashing of this invention, the lower edge of the downwardly extending portion of the cap inserted in the masonry wall is not bent outward or upward, but remains in position, providing a gauge or stop for the upper edges of the layers of roofing material and, in remaining in its pro-formed state, makes it possible to provide a neat and, at the same time, substantially perfect seal with the flashing presenting an even and finished appearance.

To compensate for the accumulation of thicknesses of the various plies of materials, the preformed metal cap may extend outward and may have a wood spacing strip substantially of the same thickness as that of the layers of roofing 'materials cemented thereto, and the counterflashing may also bend. slightly inward to enter the receiving slot in the cap; or the cap may bend downward against the face of the wall, and then outward, providing a ledge which form a gauge or stop for the upwardly extending edges of the layers of roofing materials, in which case the counter-flashing will bend diagonally inward to enter the receiving slot.

In addition to the inverted receiving slot in' :the downwardly extending edge of the flashing cap, the invention also contemplates a depending inner flange or element with a projecting bead at the lower end, the lower edge of which provides the gauge or stop for the upper edges of the layers of roofing materials, and the bead extending beyond the plane of the receiving slot provides spring action, frictionally holding the outer or counter-flashing element in the receiving slot. The lower edge of the counter-flashing element bends inward providing a holding or gripping surface bearing against the outer surthe upwardly extending ends of the layers of roofing materials.

The outer, depending, or counter-flashing element may be pro-formed with the lower edge bent inward, and with an inwardly extending portion spaced from the upper edge to facilitate inserting the upper edge in the receiving slot of the cap, or this element may be formed of a flat and with the depending section edge may be forced or sprung into the said receiving slot, and then formed by malleting against a head or flange at the upper edge of the layers of roofing material or metal base flashing, whereby it will assume substantially the same shape in cross section as the preformed counter-flashing.

This counter-flashing element is normally secured in place by friction; however, the downwardly extending edge of the cap in which the inverted receiving slot is provided may be malleted against the counter-flashing element. By means of indenting the upper receiving slot facing with a tool, for example, a dull pointed spot punch, the insert flashing is locked in the receiving slot folds by the indentations or deformations.

The pre-formed or flat water-proofing or counter-flashing strips are inserted in the receiving slot of the cap by a slip joint action, and to further insure sealing, the ends of the counter-flashing elements may overlap, the overlapping ends being generally located intermediate of the joints of the cap elements.

The flashing cap element may be formed with a flat tongue extending through or into the wall,

and this tongue may be smooth, corrugated, or

provided with indentations or other means for binding the cap in the mortar. The flashing cap elements are also formed with extending tongues at the ends that slide into similarly located grooves in adjoining cap elements, providing a slip joint in the depending exposed section thereof. The flat sections of the cap elements extending into or through the wall also overlap suiiiciently to prevent seepage of water therethrough, and may be provided with transverse ridges forming dams to stop water working therein, and direct the water to the outside, or roof surface.

The flat sections of the flashing cap elements extending into or through the walls may also be provided with ridges and corresponding grooves which will snap into interlocking relation as the tongues of the exposed sections slide into the adjoining sections.

To further facilitate locking the flashing cap elements, spot indentations may be provided at specified points such as a given distance from the edge, and also a pre-determined distance from the ends, to indicate location to mechanic of spot punching of the receiving slot facing to 'lock inserted flashings in the receiving slot.

The purpose of this invention is. therefore, to provide an improved flashing, particularly for forming a cap or cover for the upper exposed ends of layers of roofing materials carried upward. against the surfaces of parapets or Vertical walls wherein fixed flashing cap elements are inserted in the walls in the construction thereof, and these are provided with depending sections with inverted receiving slots therein wherein the depending sections are not bent outward in the application of the layers of roofing material, but remain in place, providing a gauge or stop for the edges of said layers of roofing material, and outer facing elements or counter-flashing strips are slid into the said inverted receiving slots with their opposite edges extending downward, over, and bearing against the outer or exposed surface of the layers of roofing materials, protecting the said roofing materials and preventing water splashing upward into the ends thereof.

The flashing herein referred to contemplates the use of flat or pre-formed copper sheets; however, it will be understood that sheets of any other material may be used.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide an exposed metal flashing having an inverted receiving slot attached to or forming an integral part of a flashing element built into the walls as masonry construction progresses, in

which sections thereof are joined with interlocking tongues and overlapping portions.

Another object is to provide a flashing cap element adapted for insertion in masonry walls in which a counter-flashing or additional flashing strip, covering the upper ends of layers of roofing material, may be inserted and frictionally held.

Another object is to provide means for securing an auxiliary or counter-flashing strip in a fixed flashing cap element in which wedging elements are not required.

Another object is to provide an improved construction for metal flashing wherein a removable counter-flashing strip is held in a fixed cap element by friction, and caulking or other Waterproofing compounds are not required.

Another object is to provide an improved method of installing flashing elements wherein hazards, such as cutting the hands of workmen in applying layers of roofing materials under the flashing elements, are removed.

Another object is to provide a flashing cap element having an exposed depending section in which a concealed receiving slot for counterflashing elements is provided which sheds water and protects the slot and edge of the counterflashing strip held therein from the elements.

Another object is to provide metal flashing having a fixed element adapted to be built into a wall, and removable elements adapted to be slid into the fixed element and held by friction in which the ends of the removable elements are adapted to be overlapped for sealing.

Another object is to provide flashing cap elements having depending sections with concealed slots for receiving depending sealing strips, -in which the joints between the respective cap elements are formed by overlapping, and are also provided with extending tongues at the end of one element extending into receiving slots in an adjoining element.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved flashing cap element adapted for insertion in brick and stone Walls in which a receiving slot is provided for holding an additional counter-flashing element, in which the said counter-flashing element may be either straight or pre-formed.

With these and other objects in View, the invention embodies a substantially L-shaped section forming a flashing cap element with a receiving -ot in the downwardly extending shorter leg with the longer leg adapted to be built into brickwork, stonework, or other jointed masonry walls in the construction thereof, an extending flange with a bead at the lower edge of the said short leg, an extending tongue at one end of the said leg, a receiving slot for a similar tongue at the opposite end of the said short leg, and flat or pre-formed counter-flashing elements or plate sections adapted for insertion-in the said receiving slot.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a typical section through the improved metal flashing showing one form thereof.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modification in which the flashing cap is provided with a wood spacing strip.

Figure 3 is a similar for holding the tension.

Figure 4 illustrates the construction wherein .view illustrating a bead counter-flashing element in the flashing cap is parallel to the face of the wall and positioned against the'wall.

Figure is a similar view showing a counterflashing strip of a different design.

Figure 6 is also a similar view illustrating a bead and flange below the receiving slot of the flashing cap.

Figure "1' is a similar view illustrating the method of inserting the counter-flashing strip.

Figure 8 illustrates an overlapping joint of the flashing cap elements with a tongue at the end of one element extending into a slot of an adjoining element.

Figure 9 is a front view of flashing cap elements illustrating the overlapping ends of the elements.

Figure 10 is an elevation illustrating an assembly of the flashing elements with parts broken away.

Figure 11 illustrates the method of inserting the counter-flashing element in the slot.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the flashing of this invention is formed with a flashing cap element l0, and a counter-flashing strip or element ll.

The flashing cap element In is built into brickwork, stonework, or jointed masonry walls in the construction thereof with a flat plate or secas shown in Figure and i5 extending through the wall, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The counter-flashing strip ii is mounted in the cap element by inserting an upper edge l6 thereof in an inverted receiving slot ll of a depending section ill or outer slot facing of the cap element. As shown in the drawings, and particularly in Figure l, the cap element consists of a flat section I2 and a vertical depending section IS in which the material thereof extends downward to a point l9, then upward substantially to the under surface of the section l2, and then downward to form the inverted slot ll, and then downward to either form a flange 20, as shown in Figure l, or a bead 2i, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The cap element is positioned in the wall with the lower edge of the bead 2| or flange positioned to form a gauge or stop for the upwardly extending ends 22 of the layers of roofing material 23, the roofing material being applied after the wall or parapet with the cap element therein is completed. After the layers of building material are in place, the independent counter-flashing strip H is applied by sliding the upper edge thereof upward into the slot 11 with the lower edge 24, which extends inward, bearing against the surface of the layers of roofing material.

When pre-formed counter-flashing strips are used, they are shaped so that when in place, they are held in tension by the lowerv edge 24 bearing against the outer surface of the roofing materials.

When flat counter-flashing sheets are used, the cap elements are formed with the depending edges 18 extending outward, as shown in Figure 11, and after the counter-flashing sheets are inserted, the parts 18 are worked back by mallets to the position shown in Figure 1.

To insure tension of the counter-flashing strip II, the inner lower edge of the flashing cap is provided with a bead 2i that extends outward beyond the slot l1 so that, as the strip l l is forced into the slot, the bead 2|, having a spring action, will irictionally grip and hold the counter-flashing element in place.

. an outwardly To further insure the counter-flashing strip remaining in place, the depending section l8 of the cap element, in which the receiving slot is provided, may be malleted after the counterfiashing strip is inserted to insure a tight gripping action. And to further insure the counter-flashing strips remaining in place, indentations may be punched in the section l8 at previously indicated points 25, as shown in Figure 10, extending into the counter-flashing strips.

The flashing cap elements are provided with extending tongues 26 which, in assembling, are inserted in slots 21 in the depending section 28 of adjoining cap elements, as shown in Figure 8. The upper flat elements 29 that extend into the masonry walls may also overlap as shown. In Figure 9, the upper surfaces 29 of the flashing cap elements are provided with indentations, or ribs, grooves, beads, or other similar deformations for keying the cap elements in the mortar joints of masonry walls to prevent movement. These indentations also provide dams and drafnage channels for moisture, and further provide means compensating for expansion and contraction of the metal. In the design shown, the deformations are in the form of ribs 30, and with corresponding ribs in adjoining cap elements, the ribs of one will snap into the underside of the ribs of the other, providing locking means.

In the design shown in Figure 2, a flashing cap element 32 is illustrated as mounted in a wall with a receiving slot 33 in an element 34 similar to the element l8, and in this design a wood strip 35 is cemented to the inner surface of the cap element providing a spacing member to compensate for the thickness of the layers of roofing materials, and to hold the element 34 in such a position that the counter-flashing M will be held with the lower edge bearing against the surface of the roofing materials. The flashing of this design is also provided with an inwardly extending flange 36 with a bead 3'1 similar to the bead 2|.

In Figure 5, the flashing cap element 38 is provided with a bead 39 and a flange Ml in which the flange bears against the surface of the wall providing a positive stop for the head so that it definitely holds the counter-flashing 4| in tension. In this design, the counter-flashing strip is provided with ridges 12 wherein it may extend outward further for additional layers of roofing materials. Additional ridges or indentations may be provided for decoration if desired.

In Figure 6, the flashing cap 43 is provided with extending flange 44 below a bead 45 to provide a stop for the edges of roofing material in addition to holding the bead outward for tensioning the counter-flashing element #6. In applying the flashing, the counter-flashing element 46 may extend outward, as illustrated in Figure '7, and may then be bent inward by malleting or other means to the position indicated in the dotted lines.

The metallic flashing of this invention, therefore, comprises a flashing cap element with a sheet or tongue adapted for insertion in or through a wall of masonry or the like, and a downwardly extending section with a slot extending upward therein from the lower edge parallel to the face of the wall.

The downwardly extending section may have a continuous bead or a flange projecting outward slightly beyond the plane of the slot or may be formed with both a bead and a flange. The bead or flange provides spring action, urging an element that may be inserted in the slot outward, thereby adapted tohold the element in tension. The flange may also extend backward against the face of the wall to provide a positive stop or holding element. The lower edge of the bead or flange provides a gauge or stop for upwardly extending ends of layers of roofing material that may extend from the roof over the corner and against the surface of the Wall or parapet. The roofing material may form a right angle at the intersection of the roof and wall, or may extend diagonally from the surface of the roof to the inner surface of the wall. The roofing material may consist of layers of felt, asphalt, or similar materials, or may be plastic, or metal, such as a metal base flashing.

In combination with the flashing cap element, the invention provides an additional protecting cover or counter-flashing strip, which may either be pre-formed of the cap or outer surface of the part in which the slot is formed to wedge the material against the counter-flashing strip. Indentations may also be provided at indicated points in the outer surface of the cap wherein the material will be forced into the counter-flashing strip.

In repairing a roof, or the like, having the flashing of this invention, it is only necessary to my the slot open, and remove the counter-flashor flat, and after the roofmg strip. The'roofing material is then complete-' ly exposed,

downwardly extending section :of the cap element. After repairing, the saunter-flashing element may be replaced, and secured in the slot by malleting or forming indentations, as described.

1e a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be What is claimed is: In flashing construction, a dashing cap ele- REFERENCES CITED following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,091,611 Wittbecker Mar. 31, 1914 1,218,937 Heard Mar. 13, 1917 1,452,412 Burrows Apr. 17, 192.3 1,566,750 Jacobson Dec. 22, 1925 2,027,133 Wei-nstein Jan. 7, 1933 2,168,204 Hanson Aug. 1, 1939 2,250,548 Ness July 29, 1941 

